How one choice, led her 13 miles

We first heard about her goal in January.   She was hanging out with a some of our girlfriends one night and in the midst of sharing our new year personal goals, she announced, "I am going to run the More Magazine Half Marathon!"  And the thing is - that was it.  From that moment T was in training toward her goal.   

Now, I am not a runner, with good reason.  Its tough work!  In the past 3 months, since her announcement, she's run up hill, down hill, in the midst of traffic, in the pouring rain, in the freezing cold and I seem to recall one rather ugly day in the snow!  Tina ran anyway.   Her knees have nearly caved and have been on ice for much of the three months, her body repeatedly ached from pounding across cement, gravel and dirt roads, her lungs revolted on her, leaving her breathless and in need of inhalers....but T just kept running.  Running toward the goal of a half marathon. 

As the day approached, Mr. G and I didn't wait for an invitation to join T and her family at the race.   We just made plans to be there.   How could we not be there - this was it!   Our friend T was about to meet her goal.   And we couldn't wait to be there to celebrate her finish.   So, like her own hubby and kids, we were up and out the door very early on Sunday morning to be at the finish line in Central Park.

New York City has a natural energy when you enter it.   The streets are always buzzing and crawling with activity.  It is thrilling. Both Mr. G & I enjoy the feeling of being in the very heart of activity.   So when we found the location in the park,  we were ready to jump over barriers to get to the front of the finish line.   And that is exactly where we landed!

Large banners, promoting the More Marathon sponsors, whipped boldly in the wind that carelessly tore around us.   People everywhere slapped together, long yellow mylar balloons, that served as noise makers.  On the sidelines, crowds cheered loudly for the runners streaming over the finish line.   And far above our heads, nestled on the archway of the finish line,  sat a large digital clock.   It ticked at a rapid pace, giving runners the exact length of time since the race began.  And every few moments announcers boomed over the loud-speakers encouraging these women to keep going.  Tempting them to rush the finish line only yards away. Over 6,000 of these runners came over the hill toward their goal.   

We saw mother-daughter teams.   There were women from Scotland.  Women with matching running vests, women well into their 80's, large women, thin as-a-rail women, happy women, struggling women, women completely drenched in perspiration and women who genuinely looked like they had not worked up a sweat in years.   Many shouted out as they passed us to dash over that final line.   And it was exhilerating to watch!    

Finally, through the thick mass of women, we saw Tina.   Excitedly, we started screaming.   GO, T!  GOOOOOO!  We slapped our own mylar noise makers together and yelled loudly... as if our shouts would somehow be the catapult to toss her over the line.    Adorably, we all watched as T's daughter, G, eager to reach her mother, rushed passed the barricades and sprinted to join her mother cross under the archway to completion.   It was beautiful!

 

She did it.   Tina met her goal.   It was inspiring and refreshing!  And there was a moment of pure static electricity in the air.   

It was inspiring to see the 6,000 women running the marathon. But even more,  I was and still am even more moved our friend, who set a goal a mere three months ago...and met it on Sunday in Central Park.

T, this is only the beginning.  Your funny motto for the year, has indeed started to reap the rewards intended.  And as dorky as it sounds, I am believing you..."It's gonna be great in 2008!" 

Thank you for inspiring all of us -  And congratulations to Tina & Colleen for running an amazing race!

Comments

[Double D]

T, I am so proud of you, looking at your picture at the finish line was PRICELESS. I know what this meant to you,and how hard you worked for it. Thinking of you doing 13.1 miles is amazing, I did 3 miles in the pouring rain and thought I did 100, so I applaud you for accomplishment. Looking at Jimmy standing there with that smile of his, you could see how proud he was of you. GREAT JOB!!!!!!!

[Michelle Romo]

Congrats to your friend for completing a half marathon! As you know Jen, I am a die hard runner and have been for many years..so this was very moving for me. I love to see Woman accomplish their goals, it is very beautiful to see! Thanks for the post! Keep on Running! :)

[Helen]

Tina - WOW!!! What an accomplishment - I am soooo happy you did it and proud of you!

Love and Miss you so so much!
Helen

[Coll]

TINA ~ YOU DID IT! YOU NUT! I knew you could! I am so proud of you and all your perserverence and hard work! You are an inspiration to so many women and I thank the Lord we met! You keep going girl! It was an awesome experience to run with my dearest friend! Love ya - Chaleen..ha ha Coll! Thanks Jen for the great memories for Tina you are so sweet!

[Dolly Busolt (Mom)]

To My Dearest Tina-I waited a long time since you told me about the race to be there for you to watch you cross the finish line and hug you so proudly as a mother would, but it just didn't happen. My intentions were all there but you know what happened and we can't go back in time, I was very disappointed I couldn't be there, more than you know, but I love everything about you and you truly shine as a child of mine and God's. God Bless you always, Love, Mom